The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) was received in Tirana by Sofjan Jaupaj, Minister of Environment of Albania, for a constructive exchange on wildlife governance and recent developments in national hunting legislation.
The meeting was facilitated by Martina Kasnyik, Hungarian Ambassador to Albania, together with Amanda Sztrati, Hungarian Commercial Attaché, who shared Hungary’s experience regarding the role of hunting in conservation and rural development. The CIC delegation included Ádám Viplak, Hungarian CIC member with long-standing diplomatic experience in Tirana, as well as Thomas Paulic, CIC Project Officer.
Minister Jaupaj presented the vision behind Albania’s current legal framework and outlined how relevant institutions and divisions are expected to cooperate in practice. The discussion centred on ensuring clear governance structures, effective coordination, and long-term sustainability objectives.
The Minister recognised the continued engagement of Albania’s hunting community, led by the Albanian Federation for Hunting and Conservation, and acknowledged their role in supporting conservation and sustainability objectives despite the long-standing hunting ban.
CIC highlighted the importance of strong governance frameworks and clear guardrails for effective wildlife management, including credible species monitoring, prioritising the role of local hunters’ associations and their national federation, and alignment with international best practice and relevant agreements. These principles were met with broad agreement.
The visit forms part of an ongoing dialogue between CIC and Albanian authorities, including previous exchanges and joint engagement with FACE.
Both sides agreed on the value of continued dialogue and knowledge exchange as Albania continues to refine its wildlife governance framework.
Media Contact:
Tristan Breijer MBA FRGS FRSA MCIJ
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
CIC – International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
Email: tristan.breijer@cic-wildlife.org
Mobile: +44 781 408 7423
Website: www.cic-wildlife.org
